Frances Burscough: How police claims really beggar belief

One of the most depressing and irresponsible stories to appear in the press this week is the claim by police in England that many of the beggars on the streets there are totting up an equivalent of £73,000 per annum tax free.

One of the most depressing and irresponsible stories to appear in the press this week is the claim by police in England that many of the beggars on the streets there are totting up an equivalent of £73,000 per annum tax free.

They also state that some beggars work full-time in good office jobs and are simply supplementing their wages with hand-outs offered by naïve passers-by.